Boeing on Wednesday announced that it is replacing the head of its 737 MAX program in response to the mid-air panel incident involving an Alaska Airlines MAX 9 on January 5, 2024. Ed Clark, who served nearly 18 years at Boeing, departed amidst the company’s ongoing crisis, with efforts focused on enhancing quality standards. Katie Ringgold has taken over as the new vice president and general manager of the 737 program, according to a memo from Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal. The memo also outlined additional management changes, including the creation of a senior vice president position for quality and safety.
Mid-air incident and the challenges
Boeing has faced production limitations imposed by regulators and heightened scrutiny from lawmakers and clients. The company is committed to ensuring that each aircraft meets or exceeds stringent quality and safety standards.
The recent incident, where a door panel detached mid-flight from an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9, has prompted Boeing to reinforce safety protocols. The company’s board approved the management reshuffle, with Clark overseeing the Renton, Washington production facility where the affected plane was assembled.
Elizabeth Lund has been appointed as the senior vice president for Boeing Commercial Airlines Quality, tasked with leading quality control and assurance efforts. Mike Fleming will succeed Lund as senior vice president and general manager of airplane programs while continuing to lead Boeing’s customer support team.
This setback marks Boeing’s second major crisis following the MAX plane crashes in 2018 and 2019, which resulted in a 20-month grounding of the 737 MAX fleet. Despite efforts to rebuild its reputation, Boeing continues to face challenges in maintaining quality control, while its competitor Airbus maintains a strong market position.
Change in leadership
Industry experts view the leadership change as a significant move that could lead to further restructuring within Boeing. CEO Dave Calhoun’s upcoming meeting with FAA chief Mike Whitaker underscores Boeing’s commitment to addressing regulatory concerns and enhancing quality control measures.
Boeing shares experienced a slight decline following the announcement, reflecting investor concerns over production delays and ongoing safety issues. The FAA’s ongoing audit of Boeing’s manufacturing process has led to the grounding of the MAX 9 and could impact the approval timeline for the MAX 7 jet.
The preliminary investigation into the MAX 9 incident revealed critical oversights in the installation of the door panel, raising concerns among airline customers. Some carriers, including Alaska Airlines, have announced plans to implement enhanced quality checks before accepting aircraft from Boeing’s factory.
(With Reuters Inputs)